BACK ON THE RUN: Jonathan Franks and Luke James at the launch the 2013-14 Hartlepool United home kit. Picture by FRANK REID

Published:08:00Tuesday 25 June 2013

Share this article

GET ready for some hard yards.

That is the message from Hartlepool United striker Jonathan Franks ahead of the squad’s return to work on Thursday.

The Pools squad will reconvene at the club’s training base at Maiden Castle, in Durham.

For most of the players it will be the first time they will meet new boss Colin Cooper following his appointment last month.

But Franks has first-hand experience of Cooper, and his assistant Craig Hignett, following their time at Middlesbrough.

Franks was a promising striker at Boro where Cooper assisted former boss Gareth Southgate at senior level before going on to coach the U18 team.

And while the attacking player says Cooper is not in the same league as Paolo Di Canio – who banned sauce bottles from the tables of Sunderland’s canteen – he shares the Italian’s desire for peak fitness and unstinting commitment.

“He’s always been naturally fit himself,” Franks told SportMail. “I even remember after he stopped playing he still did all the running in training and took part in the sessions.

“He’s tough on fitness.

“He’s a good professional and he demands high standards from people.

“He’s a big believer that everyone’s got to put 110 per cent in and if you do that, then you will get your rewards.”

SEE Tuesday’s Mail for the full story plus the best North-East football coverage and news from boxing, rugby and tennis